BANGLADESH RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS JOURNAL

ISSN: 1998-2003, Volume: 3, Issue: 3, Page: 1086-1094, January-February, 2010

PRESENT STATUS OF CAPTURE FISHERY AND FISH MARKETING AT

BEEL DAKATIA IN KHULNA REGION

Tanvin Ara1, Zerin Sultana1, Md. Shamim Ahmed3, Md. Rezaul Haque2 and Debashis Roy3

Tanvin Ara, Zerin Sultana, Md. Shamim Ahmed, Md. Rezaul Haque and Debashis Roy. (2010). Present Status of
Capture Fishery and Fish Marketing at Beel Dakatia in Khulna Region. Bangladesh Res. Pub. J. 3(3): 1086-1094.
Retrieve from http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/admin/journal/upload/09120/09120.pdf

Abstract
At Beel Dakatia, area of aquaculture and capture fishery are about
6037.55 ha and 297.19 ha, respectively. In the study, 44 different fish
species and 3 prawn species were identified and 7 types of gears, 8 types
of traps and 5 types of hooks & spears were used in the capture fishery
area. The average production of prawn and white fish were found to be
617.5 kg/ha and 234.65 kg/ha respectively. 58% farmers sold their products
in Depots and 32% in Chatals. 64.64% depot owners had no knowledge of
HACCP complaint and the depots were handled poorly. There were two
marketing channels, in which both fishermen and intermediaries (viz.
Aratder, Paiker and Retailer) were involved. The average marketing
margin price per quintal of fish for fishermen was Tk 305.56 and for aratder,
paiker and retailer were Tk 334.65, Tk 515.8 and Tk 340.4 respectively.
Among them the profit of paiker was the highest (9.94%). In channel-1,
fishermen received about Tk 78.14% of retail price and in channel-11
about Tk 72.06%. It is clearly evident from the result that capture fishery
and fishermen’s share are decreasing with the increasing of intermediaries
share in the marketing channels day by day.
Key words: Fishermen, Capture fishery, Marketing channel, Intermediaries
Introduction
Evaluating the fishery status would be the key factors of designing the
development strategy. Subsequently, culture systems, fisheries diversity, fishing
method, marketing system are mandatory issues. For the increase of Aquaculture
farming, the number of Depots for prawn marketing and other fish markets are
increased day by day. There is all most needed to develop the marketing system
not only to support the marginal fishermen or traders but also to increase our
national economy (ADB, 1996). Beel Dakatia is one of the coastal areas, Which
was not only typical wetland but also typical land and people life style were fully
oriented towards cultivation .But a noticeable change takes place due to the
construction of embankment during 1960s. Polder were constructed, under USAID
coastal embankment project, covering 40,000 ha to protect land from daily
inundation by saline waters and peak seasonal or storm flood levels in the regions
(Banglapedia, 2004). Water logging problem is solved by the cutting a new canal
to connect Sandhya khal to Shulua river. After connection, the vast area was

*Corresponding Author: E-mail address: shamim113&yahoo.com

1 Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208.
2 Professor, Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, KU, Khulna-9208.
3 Fish Genetics and Biotechnology Department, Fisheries and Marine Resource Technology Discipline, KU,
Khulna-9208.
Present Status of Capture Fishery and Fish Marketing 1087

raised by siltation. As a result, the aquaculture farming areas is gradually

increasing with decreasing agriculture and capture fishery area (Rahman, 1995).
Fisheries Management Plan For The Khulna–Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation
Project. The bases of the fisheries management plan must assist and stimulate of
those activities. Sanctuary, Aquaculture development, Migration of adult brood
stock of fresh and brackish water fishes, Culture based fisheries and Monitoring
(ADB, 1996).
Beel Dakatia is one of the largest Beel in Khulna region. Total area is about 365 ha,
that is 32% of the total coastal beel area, and the total harvest of fish is about
22,190 MT, which is 9% of the total coastal area and 3% of total Bangladesh (DoF,
2002, 2003). So, this area is well known to white fish and shrimp production zone.
This study mainly focuses specifically on the present condition of capture fishery
and marketing system of fishery resources at Beel Dakatia region. The aquaculture
farming area is gradually increasing with decreasing agriculture and capture
fishery area. For decreasing capture fishery area many indigenous species are
drastically reducing day by day and with increasing aquaculture farming the
prawn and white fish production. Proper marketing system and Capture fishery
management are essential for the fishermen as well as their socio-economic
conditions developed and to protect the native species. The principle objectives
of the study was to observe the present status of capture fishery and existing fish
marketing channel with cost margins at different stages in Beel Dakatia.
Materials and methods
Study area
Beel Dakatia is located in the southwest region of the Bangladesh and
northern part of Khulna district, the study was conducted (6 months) from
September 2007 to February 2008.
Field survey and observation
Field survey was made in the fifteen (15) villages of Beel Dakatia at Khulna
region. Five villages were randomly selected from every Thana and five farmers
were randomly selected from each village and seven depots and one chatal
auctioneer from each Thana were randomly selected.
Data collection
In order to fulfill the objectives of the study, relevant information and
literature were collected from the two sources, which are:
Primary sources
The primary data were assembled through field survey by using a relevant
structural questionnaire.
Secondary sources
Further relevant information on status of fishermen were collected relevant
books, NGO’s and Government organizations like, Upazila fisheries office, Upazila
land youth development and statistical office, Bangladesh Water Development
Board, Department of fisheries (Khulna Branch), Seminar Library, URP Discipline,
Khulna University Seminar Library.
Data analysis
The data were analyzed by MS Words and MS Excels.
Results

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Ara et, al., 1088

Capture Fishery Management

In Beel Dakatia, among them about 42650 peoples directly and
37828 peoples indirectly involved in aquaculture, about 265 peoples directly and
2320 peoples indirectly involved in the capture fishery. Three types of fishermen
were found such as occasional fisherman, fulltime fisherman and part time
fisherman. The fishermen used netting, angling, trapping, spearing, dewatering
and hand picking for fishing. In the study, there were 44 different fish species, 3
prawn species, 7 types of gears, 8 types of traps, 5 types of hooks and spears are
used in the capture fishery of Beel Dakatia. The management was very poor. So,
the self recruiting species was the main source of fishes. At the beginning of the
rainy season, the fishermen start indiscriminate fishing in the capture fishery area.
but now-a-days for more harvesting, catching brood fishes, use of current jal,
preparation of gher in the beel, closing the migratory route of fishes, use of
current jalousie jal or pata to the swimming place of fish etc were major causes
for the extinction of our native species.
Marketing system of prawn and white fish
Prawn production
The average prawn production was found to be 617.5 kg/ha, in poly
culture 555 kg/ha and 481 kg/ha in integrated culture. In poly culture, the highest
and the lowest prawn production were found to be 741kg/ha and 321kg/ha
respectively. In integrated culture, the highest and the lowest prawn production
were found to be 704 kg/ha and 222 kg/ha respectively.
Polyculture
800
700 Integrated culture
Production (kg/ ha)

600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Highest Low est Average
Production level

Fig 1. Prawn production in Beel dakatia

White Fish production
The highest and the lowest white fish production were found to be
345kg/ha and 185kg/ha in poly culture. The highest and the lowest white fish
production were found to be 328kg/haand 113kg/ha in integrated culture

400 Polyculture
350
Integrated culture
Pro duction ( kg/ ha)

300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Highest Low est Average
Production level

Fig 2. White fish production in Beel Dakatia

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Present Status of Capture Fishery and Fish Marketing 1089

Fish Distribution and Marketing system

About 96 % farmers sold their product several times to the market
whereas the rest of 4% sold it wholly once. Some farmers sold their products to the
depot, chatal auctioneer, local market and dadonder. This result also indicated
that the marketing channel of product. In this system the farmers would not get
their appropriate price of prawn and fishes. The highest 58% farmers sold their
product to the Dipot and only a few about 2% farmers sold their product to the
local market. Depots were mainly used as prawn marketing and chatal
auctioneers were found to sell white fish more by auctioneers the poor farmers
are bound to take loan from the dadonder to some extent.
Table 1. Prawn and white fish marketing condition
Place of sell Percentage (%)
Dipot 58
Chatal 32
Local market 2.0
Dadonder 8
Depots physical structure
Average sizes of the depots were found 107.56 sq ft. The total number of
depot was about 118 in the study area. Physical conditions of the depots were
important to know the status of the depot. Reconstructed depots were
categorized into 3 groups such as Mosaic depot, Semi-tiles depot, Pakka depot
from the survey, it was found that 33.23% depots had Semi-tiles floor, 48.70%
depots had mosaic floor and 18.07% depots had pakka floor. Some depot
processing room was separated from the entrance and separate beheading
room. Most of the depots had one room with 1-2 doors and windows varied from
1-2 in numbers. Only 20% local depots were found to have good drainage system
but 44% depot had drainage system that could be defined as up to the mark and
rest of them (36%) were bad.
Communication
More than 50% depots were found near the markets and roadsides and
had a good communication system. But some the depots situated at the remote
villages found to have a very bad communication system and faced a major
problem of transportation.
Storing of prawn
About 34.57% depots was used plastic dum, 28.67% depots was used styro-
foam box, 24.57% depots used brick built tank and 12.19% depots used tin made
box. The ratio of ice and prawn varied from depot to depot. Usually the ratio of
ice and prawn varied between 1:1to 1:2.
Grading spot
The highest number of depots (52.86%) used stainless steel grading table
for grading of prawn, 26.14% and 21% depot used the clean Pacca floor (mosaic
/cemented) and Wooden platform(Chouki) for grading respectively.
Grading status
Generally depot owner purchase head on prawn and sell head less
product measuring grade status. Sometimes depot owners were found to sell their
product both head- less and head-on conditions.

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Ara et, al., 1090

Table 2. Grading status of prawn by weight

Criteria Grade Individual wt (gm) Price variation (TK)
5 200 585-630
10 100 495-570
20 50 375-450
Head-on 30 25 245-290
50 10 170-210
PD Not particular 50-65
5 200 1100-1245
8 125 1000-1100
Headless 12 100 690-800
20 50 450-550
30 25 450-380
50 10 205-350
Knowledge of HACCP
Most of the reconstructed depot owners had no knowledge about
HACCP. Only 14.18% had knowledge of HACCP and 85.82% depot owners had no
knowledge of HACCP in the surveyed areas. They were ignoring about the
importance of HACCP.
Channel-I
Fishermen sold 75% of their fishes to Aratder, 15% to Paiker and the
rest of 10% to consumer. Aratder purchased 75% of their produce from
fishermen and sold the entire 75% to paiker. Paiker purchased 15% from
fishermen and 75% from aratdar and sold 90% of those fish to consumer.
Channel-II
Aratder purchased 80% fish from fishermen and paiker purchased 20% from
fishermen and sold the entire amount of paiker by auction. Paiker purchased
100% fish from aratder on auction and sold 74% fishes to retailer and rest 26% fishes
to consumers. The marketing channels are consisted of fishermen, aratdars
(chatal owner), paikers (Wholesalers), Retailers and consumers.
Marketing Costs and Margins of fishermen and intermediaries
Marketing cost
In fish marketing, the nature and type of costs are not same at
different stages in the marketing process. Attempt has been made to
analyze the marketing cost of fishes at different levels.
Marketing cost = Labor cost + transportation cost + storage cost
Average marketing cost of fishermen
The marketing cost for each component has been calculated on quintal
basis. Transportation cost per quintal was the highest (33.09 %) which is followed
by personal expenses (16.75%), Aratdar's commission (18.51 %), wastage
(12.34%), market tolls (7.41%) and entertainment cost (9.87 %). The total
marketing cost of the fishermen was Tk. 405.0 per quintal.

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Present Status of Capture Fishery and Fish Marketing 1091

Table 3. Marketing cost of fishermen

Cost items Average cost/ Quintal (Tk.) Percentages (%)
Transportation 130 33.09
Personal expenses 80 19.75
Aratdar’s commission 75 18.51
Wastages 50 12.34
Market tolls 30 7.41
Entertainment 40 9.87
Total 405 100.00
Average Marketing margin of intermediaries
The fishermen sold fishes to Aratdars at an average price of Tk. 4900.00
per quintal and Aratdars sold these to the Paikers at Tk. 5187.00 per quintal. So,
the gross margin and net margin was Tk. 447.00 and Tk. 334.65 per quintal
respectively. The Paikers purchased fishes from Aratdars and sold to consumers,
so the gross margin and net margin were TK. 713.00 and Tk. 515.8 per quintal
respectively. The Retailers purchased fishes from Aratdars & Paikers and sold to
consumers. So the gross margin and net margin were Tk. 521.4 and Tk. 340.8 per
quintal, respectively.
Table 4. Average marketing margins of intermediaries in Fish market of Beel
Dakatia
Gross
Intermediaries Purchase Sale price Marketing Net margin
price(1) margin **5= (3-4)
(2) cost(4)
*3=2-1
Aratdar 4900.00 5187.00 487 152.35 334.6 (6.82%)
Paiker 5187.00 5900.00 713 197.20 515.8 (9.94%)
Retailers 5900.00 6421.40 521.4 180.6 340.4 (5.77%)
1 quintal= 100 kg.*Gross margin= Sale price-purchase price. ** Net margin= Gross
margin- marketing cost.
Channel-1 and Channel-11
In channel I (Fishermen-Aratdar - Paiker – Consumer), the fishermen's gross
and net price per quintal of fish were Tk 5625.16, Tk. and Tk 6021.72 respectively.
The corresponding price spread was Tk.1229.46 per quintal of fish, while the
fishermen's gross share was 85.34 % and the fishermen's net share was 78.14 %.
Similarly, in channel II, (Fishermen-Aratdar-Paiker-Retailer-Consumer), the
price spread was taka 1681.87 per quintal of fish, while the fishermen's gross
share was 78.79 % and the fishermen's net share was72.06%. Therefore, the
fishermen's share decreases with the increases of middlemen share in the
marketing channel.
Table 5. Price spread and fishermen's share of different marketing channels
Marketing Retail price Fishermen Fishermen’s Price Fishermen’s Fishermen’s
channels Tk/ quintal gross price net price spread gross share net share(%
Tk/quintal Tk/quintal* (% of retail of retail
price) price)

I 5625.16 4800.70 4395.70 1229.46 85.34 78.14

II 6021.72 4744.85 4339.85 1681.87 78.79 72. 06

Note: (a) Channel I = Fishermen –Aratdar- Paiker-Consumer, Channel II=

Fishermen- Aratdar -Paiker-Retailer-consumer, Fishermen net price = Retail price -
Fishermen's marketing cost.

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Ara et, al., 1092

Discussion
The study was conducted to know the present situation of capture fishery
and marketing system of fisheries resources in Beel Dakatia. The investigation
covered the three thanas Dumuria, daulatpur and fultala of Beel Dakatia. To
observe the existing Prawn and white fish marketing system in Beel Dakatia, for
that some Depot and chatal are randomly selected nearer the Beel Dakatia.
Data was collected by interview technique were supplemented by information
received from various sources and also personal observation.
In Beel Dakatia, The total area of aquaculture is about 6037.55 ha
(52%). Capture fishery area is about 297.19 ha (2.56%). FAO (1995)
recorded open water fish production declined from 6, 90,000 tones in 1972 to a
low of 4, 24,000 tones in 1989. One of the reasons for the decline has been over
fishing caused by a large and increasing population. But other reasons are
related to the loss of aquatic environment and fish migration routes caused by
implementation of flood control measures, drainage and irrigation schemes and
road building programmed which usually involve construction of embankments,
closure or diversion of rivers and other structural changes with resulting negative
effects on fisheries resources. It was observed from the study that the similar
reasons that declines the fisheries for the following reason loss of fish habitat for
over drainage, The massive capture of fry for aquaculture purposes, blockage of
migration routes of adult fish and hatchings using nets and trap of small mesh
sizes, blockage of the khals, The number of fish and fish species in the open water
bodies in the Beel Dakatia area have declined since water logging for the
construction of embankment. The fishermen of Bangladesh have been broadly
categorized into netting, angling, trapping, spearing, dewatering and hand
picking by Dewan and Mazid (1994). In the study 7 new gears, which are phoot
jal, paia jal, patpati jal, dool-chot jal, sruti jal, bhurdi jal, goria jal are also
recorded. Among the newly recorded jals, 3 are being used in beels and other 4
jals in rivers. They also indicated that phoot jal, patati jal, paia jal as gill net,
dool-chot (seine net), sruti jal (bag net), bhuri jal (clasp net) and guria jal
(dragged net).
BCAS (1989, 1991) investigated the gear used by fishermen for fishing in the
beels of Netrokona and Sunamgoaj district. The gears recorded are jhaki jal, uther
jal, veshal jal, dal jal, kona ber jal, ber jal, tona jal, goar jai, pine/pice jal, sarda jal,
current jal, ram jal and chouhunda jal etc. The fishing gears are used by the
fishermen in Beel dakatia more or less similar to this report. In the study area,
fishermen used netting, angling, trapping, spearing, dewatering and hand picking
for fishing. 44 different fish species and 3 species of prawn were observed. Among
these species, 9 exotic fish species, those species are not so available in the
capture fishery area except Tilapia and Nilotica, 22 endangered fish species,
those species are not available now but used to be available earlier and rest of
them were not available in the capture fishery area of Beel Dakatia. In the study,
7 types of gear among them 3 gill net, 1 scene net, 1 lift net and 1 cast net (Koi-
jal, Fash-jal, Punti-jal, Ber-jal, Veshal-jal, Khepla-jal, Shuti-jal) are also observed. 8
types of traps (Koidughair, kadam, Ramani, Arinda, Charo, Ghuni, Tubo, Polo,
Vair) and 5 types of hook and spear (Chip Borshi, Borshi, Fulkuchi, Jhupi and
Konch) are used in the capture fishery. In Beel Dakatia, The total area of
aquaculture is about 6037.55 ha. Capture fishery area is about 297.19 ha
and major portion about 52% areas of Beel Dakatia was used for aquaculture this
area is a very potential zone for the production of fish and prawn. The marketing
chain in depot passes through a number of intermediaries such as: Farmer, depot
owner, commission agent then Fish Company. In the study, it was found that
33.23% depots had Semi-tiles floor, 48.70% depots had mosaic floor and 18.07%

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Present Status of Capture Fishery and Fish Marketing 1093

depots had concrete floor. Almost 100 percent depots had electricity facility. 50%
depots had a good communication system. Grading was carried out in wooden
platform mainly in Bagerhat district, while wooden platform, polythene and floor
were used in Khulna and Satkhira districts as grading spot. it was found that
highest number of depots (52.86%) used stainless steel table, 26.14% and 21%
depot used the clean concrete floor (mosaic /cemented) and Wooden platform
(Chouki) for grading of prawn which are similar to this study.
White fish is the major component in the chatal for auction. In chatals
prawn was sold through auction by chatal auctioneer without sorting or grades.
In the study two types of marketing channels were observed. Rokeya et al. (1997)
reported that local agents collect and purchase fish from the farmers on
commission basis in Jessore fish market. Rahman (2003) reported that in Gazipur
the market chain from farmers to consumers consisted of a number of
intermediaries such as, local fish traders, agents, whole sellers and retailers.
Quddus (1991) also identified a similar market chain in Mymensingh district. The
above observations support our findings. Ahmed (1983) the marketing margins of
representative intermediaries acting between producers and consumers and
obtain between 50% and 65% margin for the consumers of the retails price. The
bulk of the marketing margin is earned by the assembler and the distributor. From
the study it was found that, the gross margin and net margin or profits of Aratder
were Tk. 447.00 and Tk.334.65 respectively. Paikers gross margin of Tk. 713.00 per
quintal and the net margin was Tk. 515.8 per quintal. The gross margin and net
margin or profit of Retiler was Tk. 521.4 and Tk. 340.8 per quintal respectively. So,
in term of profit making, the performance of Paiker was relatively better than that
of Aratdars & Retailers .So the observations are similar with the results.
Conclusion
Beel Dakatia is a well known shrimp and prawn production zone. The result
proved that the capture fishery and fisherman’s share are decreasing with the
increasing of middleman’s share. To improve and develop the marketing
channel, physical marketing facilities should be increased and
unnecessary and exploitative middleman should be eliminated from the
marketing channel.
References
Asian Development Bank, (1996). Comments on fisheries Management Plan for
the Khulna-Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project, pp. 9-11.
Ahmed, N., (1983). Marketing of selected Fishes in Bangladesh, a study in
efficiency. Ph. D thesis, Department of Marketing, University of Dhaka,
Bangladesh, p.367.
BCAS, (1989). Final report ENIMOF project, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of
Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh center in advanced
studies, pp. 225-228.
BCAS, (1991). Floodplain production Monitoring, Initial Study Report. BCAS, Dhaka,
Bangladesh, pp. 1-99.
Banglapedia, (2004). http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/B-0251.htm,
[Accessed on 28 November, 2004].
DoF, (2003). Fisheries Resources information of Bangladesh. Department of
Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Government of Bangladesh.pp.
21-27.
DoF, (2002). Fish catch statistics of Bangladesh, Department of Fisheries, Fisheries
and Livestock Ministry, Dhaka, Bangladesh, p-53.

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/
Ara et, al., 1094

Dewan, S., and Mazid, M.A., (1994). Productivity, Exploitation and fishing
technology of Inland open water fisheries, Bangladesh. A report prepared
by for the project "Assistant to Fisheries Research Institute" (BGD/ 89/OV)
FRI/FAO/UNDP, pp: 1-35.
FAO, (1995). Report on Marine Fishing village identification survey in Bangladesh.
UNDP Project Publication No (2). Bangladesh Fisheries Development
Corporation (BFDC), pp.56-60.
Quddus, M.A., 1991. Seasonal price movements of commercially important fishes
in selected markets of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh J. Fish., 14(1-2): 63-
68.
Rahman, A., (1995). Beel Dakatia: The Environmental Consequences of a
Development Disaster. University Press limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh, pp.1-14.
Rokeya, J.A., Ahmed S.S., Bhuiyan A.S. and Alam M.S., (1997). Marketing system of
native and exotic major carps of Rajshahi District. Bangladesh J. Fish., 20(1-
2):99-103.
Rahman, M. M., (2003). Status of fish marketing in Gazipur, Bangladesh.
Unpublished thesis, Department of Fisheries Management, BAU,
Mymensingh.p.74.

http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/journal/